Tiger Football Team Posts Biggest Victory Margin Since 1985 with 35-0 Blanking of Chicago
September 14, 1996
September 14, 1996, Greencastle, Ind. - The DePauw defense shut the door and the Tigers' offense took advantage as DePauw shut out visiting University of Chicago, 35-0. The win marked the largest margin of victory for a DePauw team since a 38-0 blanking of Taylor in 1985. It also was the Tigers' first shutout since a season-opening 6-0 win over Hope.
The DePauw defense allowed Chicago just six first downs and 124 yards of offense and forced five Maroon turnovers. The Old Gold converted four of those turnover s into touchdowns.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Tigers scored on the second play of an early second quarter drive as sophomore running back Johnathon Stigall (Oxford, Ohio/Talawanda) broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run. Two plays later, DePauw senior safety Scott Farnham (Omaha, Neb./Westside) picked off a Maroons pass at the Chicago 12-yardline and ran in for the score. Senior tight end and all-America candidate Jay Pettigrew (Indianapolis/Northwest) rounded out the first half scoring with a 12-yard pass from junior quarterback Bernie Haskins (Elkhart/Elkhart Central). Haskins then caught a two-point conversion pass from running back David Schubert (So., Coatesville/North Putnam) to make it 21-0. The touchdown came after DePauw's Grant Hale (So., Cincinnati, Ohio/Indianapolis North Central) recovered a Brandon Way fumble.
Pettigrew scored his second touchdown of the game on a 10-yard pass from Haskins with 10:57 left in the third on the third play after the Tigers recovered a Chicago fumbled punt return. Josh Johnson (Fr., Lebanon/Lebanon) recovered the fumble for DePauw.
The final score of the game came with 2:56 left in the third when Haskins teamed with senior Jamie Cunha (Westford, Mass./Westford Academy) for a 44-yard score. That scoring drive was set up by DePauw senior Jon Holloway's (Fishers/Cathedral) 12th career interception.
Stigall led DePauw with 96 rushing yards on 17 carries, while Haskins completed 14 of 26 passes for 188 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. His top target was Pettigrew who hauled in seven catches for 41 yards. Pettigrew extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception to 30 straight. Cunha caught just three passes, but for a total of 101 yards. Senior tackle Tim Capper (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South) led the defense with eight tackles including two for loss.
The Tigers host Hope College next Saturday (September 21) on Community Day.